Job Title: Community Health Nurse (Registered Nurse)
Location: 449 East Hastings St. Vancouver, BC V6A 1P5
Status: 0.2 FTE (8 hours over 2 days/week)
Wages: $36.32–$47.58/hour

Start Date: April 2023
Application Closing Date: Open until filled

Vancouver Aboriginal Health Society (VAHS) is a not-for-profit organization located in the Downtown Eastside (DTES) community for over 30 years. Our services are designed by and for urban Aboriginal people to promote physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual wellness. VAHS programs include a cultural team of Elders, Traditional Healers, and Knowledge Keepers; a comprehensive Primary Care Clinic; a Dental Clinic with by-donation services; and Indigenous Early Years programs for children and families.

POSITION SCOPE

VAHS has been afforded the opportunity to implement a new Women’s Mobile Primary Care program to improve access to healthcare women facing multiple barriers in Vancouver. Many resilient women face various structural factors, and visiting a fixed location can cause challenges; it is therefore essential to offer a Mobile primary care program that offers the flexibility that stationary sites do not. It is an opportunity to transform the way in which we operate and bring services to women, therefore removing significant access barriers.

To implement this program, VAHS is seeking a Registered Nurse who is passionate about improving Women’s health and wellbeing. Working within the context of a holistic, culturally safe, and women-centered care model, the Community Health Nurse will provide care in a multi-disciplinary Mobile clinic to women with a variety of health-related needs, including but not limited to sexual health, substance use and harm reduction supports, and chronic physical/mental health challenges.

Work will be delivered at 449 East Hastings Street and at regular Mobile sites with partner agencies in the DTES and surrounding neighbourhoods.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Deliver nursing care and case management, under the scope of a Registered Nurse, within a collaborative team of physicians, cultural supports, allied health professionals, existing or new community partners, VAHS staff, and other service providers.
  • Connect and engage with women in the community to assess service eligibility and facilitate the development, implementation, and adaptation of care plans.
  • Participate in relevant meetings and team-based work to provide technical advice and evidence-based recommendations to develop/improve policies, procedures, and best practices.
  • Identify, manage, and report on risks to mitigate negative impacts on program delivery.
  • Perform other related duties to support the overall implementation of the program.

QUALIFICATIONS

  • Current practicing registration as a Registered Nurse with the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM) is required.
  • Current CPR certifications and Naloxone training, or ability to obtain.
  • A minimum of two (2) years of nursing experience in a community health setting.
    • Experience working in a Mobile clinic is considered a strong asset.
    • Experience providing client-centered, trauma-informed care to women and/or Indigenous peoples with complex health/social challenges is considered a strong asset.

A combination of professional, grassroots, education, and/or lived experience will be considered.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

  • Demonstrated skills in community health nursing within the program’s scope and model of care.
  • Working knowledge of urban Indigenous and inner-city community health issues, with best practices for client-centred, trauma-informed nursing and case management.
  • Ability to document timely and appropriate patient information in electronic medical record (EMR) systems or other formats.
  • Creative and flexible with critical thinking, problem solving, time management, and task prioritization skills, and the ability to adapt to new or unexpected events.
  • Clear and effective oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
  • Working knowledge of local health, social, and community resources.
  • Working knowledge of relevant policies, acts, regulations, guidelines, and standards of practice.
  • Demonstrated ability to operate all related equipment within the scope of a Registered Nurse and to physically perform the duties of the position.
  • Knowledge of diverse Indigenous cultures, histories, issues, and traditional practices is considered a strong asset.
  • A BC commercial driver’s license is considered an asset but is not required.

Due to this program serving a diverse community of women, this position is open to women (trans-inclusive) only, in alignment with Section 41 of the BC Human Rights Code. We strongly encourage people from equity-deserving communities to apply, including but not limited to: Indigenous, Black, and people of colour; disabled people; and 2SLGBTQIA+ people. Aboriginal (First Nations, Métis, Inuit) applicants are preferred. In your cover letter, please self-identify at your comfort level.

HOW TO APPLY

Please submit your application or questions about this posting to: [email protected]
ATTN: Jasheil Athalia (Program Lead, Women's Mobile Primary Care)
Subject Line: Community Health Nurse Application

All VAHS job applications require a resume and a cover letter; please submit both in PDF format. This posting will remain open until filled. VAHS thanks all applicants for their interest, but only those selected for an interview will be contacted.